Dear Church Family,
We gather together during Advent, to hear once again the song that angels sing, and to immerse ourselves in holy scripture to learn and share the greatest story ever told.  This is the season where the joy of discovery, moves us into moments of hope and expectation; where we too are called to watch and be ready for the glorious birth of our Savior. 

Imagine what words were spoken by visitors or if first impressions left them somewhat confused. A Messiah, Savior, a King was born in the barest of places. Yet those first visitors saw and fell down on their knees in adoration. What an amazing moment to imagine those who first witnessed Jesus’ birth! My prayer is that, as we meet around the Lord’s Table, and come close to a manger, a candle, or Advent wreath, we too are drawn into that stable and the amazing embrace of Emmanuel, God with us, just like those first visitors who drew near. Our anticipation builds with every minute as we journey together through Advent toward the first light of that star. And in preparing for worship times together ahead, I pause to give thanks for each of you, and offer a few Christmas wishes that I hope will brighten your way.

I wish for each of you that the hope of the ages will fill your hearts. In a time of high anxiety and fear, the Spirit of God conceives hope within us if we just listen for it and receive it. 

I wish for you to find peace, and for our world to turn toward God’s vision of Shalom, which builds bridges and makes unbreakable bonds, which is “goodwill to all” in the angels’ song. May reconciliation and trust grow among people and among nations, beginning with each of us. 

I wish for joy to overtake any shadows that you see gathering, including even the disillusionment we all may face when we measure our lives against our culture’s ideas of “happiness.” May real joy be found in the gentle gestures of friendship, the voice of a child, the songs of our Choir, and in the embrace of being a church family. May you find the true gift of God’s joy to the world. 

I wish for the love of God to overwhelm the empty spaces in your life and open you to Christ’s self-giving love. This is the love that opens our eyes to those in need, and our hands to offer care to them; which places the other ahead of ourselves. 

We move toward the fullness of God’s expression of love for us in our celebration of Christmas, and I pray that you will join the Simpson family, and all of our church family, in worship on Christmas Eve at 6 p.m. Along the way, come center with us each Sunday at the Advent wreath, to help balance all the other activities of your season with the depth of “heavenly peace” that very soon we will sing of–candles lit–around the Table of the Lord. In the quiet moments of prayer along the journey to the manger, may you find that brief oasis from the rush of the world, and allow God to bring alive in you the hope, peace, joy and love that are captured in the wisdom of the scriptures, and in the newborn cry of baby Jesus.

Along with Mike, Luke, and Hannah, I send the hope, peace, joy, and love of the season to you and those you love. I hope we see you soon! Draw close with us this sacred season to our Savior, Messiah, and King, as we bring not gold, myrrh, or frankincense, but the gift of our whole lives.

Merry Christmas,
Pastor Heather Simpson